Birabongse Bhanudej

Prince Birabongse Bhanudej Bhanubandh (Thai: พีรพงศ์ภาณุเดช; RTGS: Phiraphong Phanudet; 15 July 1914  23 December 1985), better known as Prince Bira of Siam (now Thailand) or by his nom de course B. Bira, was a member of the Thai royal family, racing driver, sailor, and pilot.

Birabongse Bhanudej
Birabongse in 1944
Born(1914-07-15)15 July 1914
Grand Palace, Bangkok, Siam
Died23 December 1985(1985-12-23) (aged 71)
London, England
Spouse
  • Ceril Heycock (1938–1949)
  • Celia "Chelita" Howard (1951–1956)
  • Salika Kalantananda (1957)
  • Arunee Chuladakoson (1959–1964)
  • Chuanchom Chaiyananda (1967–1980)
Issue
  • Biradej Bhanubandh
  • Rabibara Bhanubandh
  • Biranubongse Bhanubandh
Names
  • His Serene Highness Prince (Mom Chao) Birabongse Bhanudej Bhanubandh
  • (15 July 1914  8 November 1927)
  • His Highness Prince Birabongse Bhanudej
  • (8 November 1927  23 December 1985)
HouseBhanubandh (Chakri Dynasty)
FatherPrince Bhanubandhubongse Voradej
MotherMom Lek Bhanubandh na Ayudhya (née Yongchaiyudh)
Formula One World Championship career
Nationality Thai
Active years19501954
TeamsEnrico Platé, Gordini, Connaught, Maserati, Scuderia Milano, independent
Entries19
Championships0
Wins0
Podiums0
Career points8
Pole positions0
Fastest laps0
First entry1950 British Grand Prix
Last entry1954 Spanish Grand Prix
24 Hours of Le Mans career
Years1939, 1954
TeamsRaymond Sommer
Aston Martin
Best finishDNF (1939, 1954)
Class wins0

Birabongse raced in Formula One and Grand Prix races for the Maserati, Gordini, and Connaught teams. He was the only Southeast Asian driver to compete in Formula One until Malaysia's Alex Yoong joined Minardi in 2001, and the only Thai driver to compete in Formula One until Alex Albon made his debut in 2019. Birabongse also competed in sailing events at four Summer Olympic Games, and flew from London to Bangkok in his own twin-engine Miles Gemini aircraft in 1952.

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